| |
|
SAULONG TARGETS UPSET IN IBF WORLD TITLE BOUT
By Rene Bonsubre, Jr. PhilBoxing.com Wed, 28 Feb 2018

Under the radar contender Ernesto Saulong will try to beat the odds when he fights IBF world junior featherweight world champ Ryosuke Iwasa of Japan on March 1 in Tokyo.
The 28 year old Saulong (21W-2L-1D,8KO?s) is ranked number 13 in the January 2018 ratings of the International Boxing Federation. He has benefited from being one of the sparring partners of IBF junior bantamweight champion Jerwin Ancajas last January. Ancajas, who is a southpaw like Iwasa, was preparing for his February title defense against Mexican Israel Gonzalez in his secluded training camp in Magallanes, Cavite.
Joven Jimenez, who trains Ancajas, is also with Saulong for this crucial fight. ?Maganda ang kondisyon, handing handa na.? Jimenez told this writer in a phone conversation. (He is in good condition and is ready.)
?Kumakain pa nga, walang problema sa timbang pag weigh-in.? Jimenez added. (He is even eating well. There will be no problems during the weigh-in.)
Iwasa (24W-2L,16KO?s), also 28 years old, will be making the first defense of the title he won by sixth round TKO against countryman Yukinori Oguni.
Iwasa has a long list of Filipino boxers that he has beaten ? Marvin Tampus, Jerope Mercado, Mark John Yap, Jecker Buhawe, Richard Pumicpic, Ricardo Roa, Marlon Arcilla, Dennis Tubieron and Glen Medura.
Three years ago, Saulong beat fellow Filipino Alie Laurel for the WBC International bantamweight title by unanimous decision in a fight held in Kunming, China.
In his next overseas stint, Saulong would lose to Lwandile Sityatha by unanimous verdict for the WBO International belt in South Africa.
Saulong will be looking to join the list of Filipino boxers who captured world titles on Japanese soil ? Bernabe Villacampo, Erbito Salavarria, Morris East, Gerry Pe?alosa, Luisito Espinosa, Joma Gamboa and Milan Melindo.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rene Bonsubre, Jr..
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 27 APRIL 2026: Jarrell Miller Outpoints Lenier Pero; Chaves, Sosa win in Vegas show By Eric Armit, , Tue, 28 Apr 2026Ryan ‘The Bruiser’ Rozicki Preparing to fight on Major Global Platform , Tue, 28 Apr 2026“The Boss” Mig is PBO president By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 28 Apr 2026Teófimo moving up to welterweight? By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 28 Apr 2026Donatelo Pinlac reigns supreme By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 28 Apr 2026'THE COMEBACK' IS CONFIRMED: AJ RETURNS TO RIYADH ON JULY 25 AS HEAVYWEIGHT ICON FACES KRSITIAN PRENGA – LIVE ON DAZN , Tue, 28 Apr 2026SANDOVAL vs YAFAI UNIFICATION WORLD TITLE FIGHT TOPS THE BILL IN SHEFFIELD ON JUNE 6 – LIVE ON DAZN – AS DALTON SMITH IS SIDELINED , Tue, 28 Apr 2026IBA Global Boxing Series 2026 – India Edition delivers landmark night of professional boxing in Mumbai , Tue, 28 Apr 2026Xander Zayas Signs Multi-Year Extension with Top Rank , Tue, 28 Apr 2026Victor Wembanyama ties Shaquille O'Neal's Playoff Points-Rebounds-Blocks Record By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 28 Apr 2026Pinoy chesser bags gold in China tilt By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 28 Apr 2026MELBOURNE FIGHT WEEK: PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES IN FULL AS NICOLSON TAKES ON TURNER FOR THE WBC INTERIM WORLD TITLE , Mon, 27 Apr 2026‘I’m coming to put on a performance—something exciting, something real. Don’t blink – The Black Hulk Bilal Seidu is back May 29 in Perth – Thunderdome 54 , Mon, 27 Apr 2026Fil-Am Brandon Kier Sustento strikes again in US chess tourney By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 27 Apr 2026Llover nears title shot By Joaquin Henson, , Mon, 27 Apr 2026All Star Boxing, Inc. Signs Undefeated Japanese Prospect Yuga Ozaki to Multi-Year Promotional Agreement , Mon, 27 Apr 2026Labog rules Okada Manila Chess Tournament By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 27 Apr 2026Dacullo Edges Cometa in Thriller, Remains GAB Philippine Youth Minimum weight Champion By Carlos Costa, , Mon, 27 Apr 2026SKYE NICOLSON FIRES WARNING TO MARIAH TURNER AS SHE TARGETS HOMECOMING WIN THIS WEDNESDAY IN BID TO LAND UNDISPUTED SHOT , Mon, 27 Apr 2026Salim Ellis-Bey Concludes 2026 World Boxing Cup - Stage 1 with Silver Medal , Mon, 27 Apr 2026IIEE PSME Quezon City wins all matches in PCAP By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 27 Apr 2026Alvin Gayeta Roma leads Mansa Engineering team to the championship of the Oliver Laroya 3x3 (Tatluhan) Rapid Chess Team Tournament By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 26 Apr 2026Simona Winkler, Salim Ellis-Bey and Noelle Haro Advance to Medal Rounds At 2026 World Boxing Cup – Stage 1 , Sun, 26 Apr 2026Sanman 100 Official Weigh-In Results from General Santos , Sat, 25 Apr 2026Subkhankulov stops Usmonov, Agrba wins hard test, and Aminova claims WBA Asia title at IBA.PRO 17 in Ufa , Sat, 25 Apr 2026 |

|
|
|
|
|